Northwestern Mutual's campus expansion, two apartment high-rises, and Fiserv Inc.'s new headquarters are among the major Milwaukee developments that began or completed construction in 2024.
Here's our rundown of those projects (a separate story will list major development stories to watch for in 2025):
Northwestern Mutual's expansion
Northwestern Mutual has finished deconstructing its 18-story office building down to the foundation, frame and core.
It now begins the work of remaking the 34-year-old building, 818 E. Mason St., to look like the company's 32-story office tower and commons. The latter opened in 2017 at 800 E. Wisconsin Ave.
That $500 million project is to be completed in 2027. The company will move its Franklin operations, with around 2,000 employees, to its downtown buildings.
Couture, 333 Water high-rises
Two upscale apartment high-rises, The Couture and 333 Water, opened in April and June, respectively.
The Couture, at 909 E. Michigan St., is a 44-story tower with 322 high-end apartments and 42,600 square feet of commercial space on three floors. It was developed by Barrett Lo Visionary Development LLC overlooking Lake Michigan.
333 Water, at 333 N. Water St., is a 31-story tower with 333 luxury rental units and 9,600 square feet of ground-level retail space, including Cassis, a French bistro, that's to open next fall. 333 Water was developed by Houston-based Hines in the Historic Third Ward overlooking the Milwaukee River.
Meanwhile, three other approved high-rise projects remain on hold: a 25-story, 192-unit tower to be built at the Goll House site, 1550 N. Prospect Ave., by Madison-based Willow Tree Partners LLC; a 24-story, 346-unit tower, 1443 and 1451 N. Prospect Ave., from New Land Enterprises LLC, and The Caroline, a 32-story, 350-unit development, 1325 N. Jefferson St., from Housing Authority affiliate Travaux Inc.
The 200,000-square-foot building will include exhibit space totaling 80,000 square feet. It's to open in early 2027.
The current museum, which opened in 1963 at 800 W. Wells St., is too large, inefficient and harmed by years of deferred maintenance, according to museum officials.
Baird Center addition
Baird Center's addition, which opened in May, doubled the convention center's space - allowing it to host more than one major event at the same time.
That included adding 112,000 square feet to the main exhibition hall for a total of 300,000 square feet.
The exhibit hall is on the third floor of the older south building, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., and the new north building, 405 W. Kilbourn Ave. The Baird Center runs above West Wells Street, which separates the other floors of both buildings.
FPC Live venue
Construction started in May on FPC Live's 4,500-person-capacity live music venue at 1051 N. Phillips Ave., south of Fiserv Forum.
Its first shows are expected be announced by the middle of 2025, with the venue opening later that year.
A naming rights sponsor has yet to be announced for the ballroom-style venue, which is projected to host 100 events annually.
Fiserv Inc. headquarters
Financial technology provider Fiserv Inc. in March officially opened its new headquarters at HUB640, the former Boston Store building, 640 N. Phillips Ave.
The company, which moved from its longtime Brookfield home, is leasing 168,000 square feet and is basing around 600 employees at HUB640 - which is owned by Chicago-based North Wells Capital LLC.
The headquarters, located four blocks from Fiserv Forum, is a "superbly strategic location" providing an unparalleled ability to entertain clients, said Frank Bisignano, chair, president and chief executive officer - whom President-elect Donald Trump has named to head the Social Security Administration.
Bronzeville sees two big additions
The Bronzeville neighborhood saw two big additions in 2024.
ThriveOne King, a mixed-use development at 2153 N. King Drive, created new offices for Greater Milwaukee Foundation, as well as Medical College of Wisconsin's community engagement programs, in a former Schuster's department store.
Meanwhile, construction is finishing on 89 apartments, and Kinship Community Food Center opened a cafe there in November.
Also, just north of ThriveOn King, at 2212 N. Phillips Ave., Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy in August opened its new high school.
The park is at 103 W. Clybourn St. between North Plankinton Avenue and the Milwaukee River - with much of that site beneath Interstate 794.
The Milwaukee Downtown and Historic Third Ward business improvement districts are leading the project.
No word yet on when construction starts on the neighboring Foxtown Landing distillery, tap room and restaurant at 412-420 N. Plankinton Ave. It's being developed by Tom Neiman, owner of Fromm Family Pet Food - the dog park's title sponsor.